Magazine

Remaining faithful, now and in the future

amymaclachlan

The strong rural connection enjoyed by many of the congregations in the Presbytery of Lambton-West Middlesex is evident at the two-point charge of St. Andrew's, Watford, and Knox, Thedford, where they set aside a Sunday each year to pray for their farm families and to focus on the gift and responsibility of being keepers of God's earth. "I am a strong advocate for everyone being involved," said Rev. Christine O'Reilly. "Church is not a spectator sport!"

Making connections in Nicaragua

amymaclachlan

When Annette Vickers first travelled to Nicaragua in 1996 as part of a small mission team looking for a project to support, she had no idea where the fact-finding journey would lead her. Nearly 10 years later, Vickers is active as the director of PAN—Presbyterians Aiding Nicaraguans—facilitating eight to 12 group mission trips to the Central American country each year. "I love it!" she said. "There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the fruits of your labour with your own eyes. That's why the teams like it, they get to leave something tangible behind and they bond with the people they meet."

'Tis the season to remain teachable

davidwebber

Last year for Lent I wrote about a little tit-bird that ended up causing me to eat a large crow. In said article I waxed eloquent about how we westerners, unlike the lowly easterner who has to rely on a hairy-tailed rodent to tell them when spring will occur, have a much better way to recognize the end of winter. I wrote how we westerners have the lovely little western wood-pewee who sings its plaintiff little "peee-weee song at the first harbinger of spring." Said article spawned two letters to the editor. One letter, published the following month, indicated a person irked at the implied put down of uppity Upper Canadians that I had attempted as a fringe benefit in the article, a charge to which I should probably plead guilty.

Meat aids Foodgrains

communications

In a unique fundraiser, started by a group of farmers in Southern Manitoba, the sale of ground beef made from donated cows will have a double benefit. Youth groups, church groups, and community clubs will sell ground beef instead of chocolates this year. From each $20-box they will recieve five dollars for their own fundraising campaign. The remainder, after processing costs will be donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, an organization which collects donations of cash, grain and other agricultural commodities for distribution to the world's hungry.

Don't squirm — but God loves you!

davidharris

Recently at church the preacher was expounding on the baptism of Jesus in the context of four infant baptisms. She pointed out that parents' love for their children begins even before they are born, then blossoms at birth, even though infants cannot possibly return that love.

Update on Sheila

communications

The Record told the story of Sheila Conkey last April. In the aftermath of her mother's death Sheila still lives in the family home, though under very different circumstances. Her father, Frank, moved into a retirement home, donating the family house to Community Living. Sheila shares her home with Joan and Mario, helps with meals and is out daily, shopping, bowling, swimming or working. She attends St. Timothy's, Ajax, Ont., where she continues to share her faith. – L. June Stevenson

Montreal helps Saskatoon

communications

Rev. Stewart Folster, of the Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry, has the keys to the latest member of his ministry family: a slightly used, 15-passenger Dodge Ram van. Folster, with help from his wife Terry, has led the mission since 1992. In 2000, a relationship was formalized with St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal. The outreach interest group supporting the twinning within the Montreal church has named itself A&P Neechewagon, a Cree word meaning friends. A&P Neechewagon raised $15,000 (which included an important contribution from the Presbytery of Montreal), and was matched by a grant from the Cooke's Fund of the Presbytery of East Toronto, to purchase the van that will enable Folster to multiply his outreach. – Keith Randall, Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal

Feeding the sheep

Jean Morris

Many years ago I heard somebody say that February was the longest month. By our calendars it's the shortest month, even in the leap year. But it wasn't chronological time they were counting; it was the feeling that February goes on forever. Stuck between all the newness of January and the possibility of the coming of spring in March, February is caught between what has been and what might be. Stuck in between can feel like a long, lonely place.

Searching for peace

Barbara Grisdale

On Nov. 26, four members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were abducted in Iraq and held hostage by a group calling themselves Swords of Righteousness Brigade. The group claimed the hostages—Canadians Jim Loney of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and Harmeet Singh Sooden, formerly of Montreal, American Tom Fox and Briton Norman Kember—were spies and set a Dec. 11 deadline for them to be executed unless the U.S. and British governments released Iraqi prisoners. The deadline passed without news. As of press time, the hostages' fate was unknown.

The end is nigh, or not

afaiz

I have already lived more than half the years I am expected to live according to trusted statistics about the average lifespan of males in Canada. And, as I celebrate yet another birth anniversary this month and the anniversary of my father's death, my thoughts turn, naturally, to the imminent apocalypse. Here, in no particular order, are sure signs the end is nigh:

Armageddon uncovered

communications

Israeli archaeologists have uncovered what they believe could be the oldest church ever found in the Holy Land — a discovery experts say may shed new light on early Christianity. However, some scholars are calling it a publicity stunt.

Marriage Quiz

Phil Callaway

The following quiz is intended solely for the amusement of married couples. Keep in mind that quiz results should not be brought up during petty arguments, loud disagreements or in front of the children. Please answer the questions honestly, bearing in mind that while it is impossible to fail this test, your answers may determine whether or not you spend the night on the couch.